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 Stress and Vibration Analysis
Troubleshooting and Failure Analysis
Heat Transfer Analysis
How can existing hardware be upgraded for improved durability?
Is the Original Equipment Manufacturer's failure analysis correct?
What is causing a worsening vibration problem?
How can a certain turbine component be repaired? When is a component beyond repair?
American Bureau of Shipping Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Kenetech
General Electric Electricity Corp. of New Zealand Golden Valley Electric
International Turbine Systems Northern Border Pipeline Hague International
Sohio Taunton Municipal Light and Power Amerada Hess Corp. OMNI
The following partial list, generated from the Fern Engineering project files, represents examples of our engineering analysis services.
BOILER FEED PUMP FAILURE ANALYSIS.
Retained by a large power utility company, Fern Engineering diagnosed the cause of recurring, catastrophic pump failures and oversaw its correction.
The pump failed continually for years after very short running times. Attempts at correction by the OEM had been unsuccessful.
Fern discovered that the pump’s natural frequency was intermittently excited by cavitation. Interstage seal modifications and plant operational procedures were specified.
Result: The utility has reduced outages. Frequent and costly repairs have been eliminated.
COGENERATION PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND SYSTEM DESIGN.
Fern performed a cycle performance design and optimization for a major cogeneration facility, using three GE MS5001LA gas turbines, three HRSGs, and one steam turbine.
The combustion turbines and steam turbines were used equipment. The analysis indicated that the steam turbine should be operated with four of the six extractions closed and two open for process heat.
Result: The client's used equipment was optimized for 75mW peaking service.
 
TURBINE BLADE REDESIGN EVALUATION.
Fern Engineering acted as a third party consultant on behalf of a major petroleum company to oversee the failure analysis and redesign of a primary OEM's 2nd stage gas turbine blade.
The client's gas turbines suffered several unexplained blade failures causing expensive production losses.
Fern worked closely with the OEM to identify the problem and to establish a corrective action plan, which included a significant redesign of the blade.
Result: The units were returned to operation with minimal downtime and improved reliability, saving the client considerable expense and loss of production.
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STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS.
Fern Engineering has conducted numerous analyses in support of new designs, design modifications, and failure analyses.
Fern utilizes finite element computer codes such as ANSYS, ALGOR and many other codes. These analyses include heat transfer, stress, strain, low and high cycle fatigue, fracture mechanics, component vibration, rotor vibration, and more.
Components analyzed include turbine discs, blades, casings, rotors, and others.
Result: Problem areas are quickly identified. Downtime, lost production, and expense is minimized.
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